In 1915, long since retired from his observations of criminal humanity, Sherlock Holmes is engaged in a reclusive study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. Never did he think to meet an intellect to match his own–until his acquaintance w In 1915, long since retired from his observations of criminal humanity, Sherlock Holmes is engaged in a reclusive study of honeybee behavior on the Sussex Downs. Never did he think to meet an intellect to match his own–until his acquaintance with Miss Mary Russell, a very modern fifteen-year-old whose mental acuity is equaled only by her audacity, tenacity, and penchant for trousers and cloth caps.

Under Holmes’s tutelage, Russell hones her talent for deduction, disguises, and danger: in the chilling case of a landowner’s mysterious fever and in a kidnapping in the wilds of Wales. But her ultimate challenge is yet to come. Soon the two sleuths are on the trail of a murderer whose machinations scatter meaningless clues…but whose objective is quite unequivocal: to end Russell and Holmes’s partnership–and their lives. ...Continua Nascondi

I really, really wanted to like this book but I just can not finish it.
The story was not believable, it has way too many aimless detours and the main character is simply annoying.
If you like Sherlock Holmes skip this one.

I read the most recent of this series recently, and really enjoyed it, so of course I had to pick up the first in the series and get introduced to the characters properly. I just couldn’t shake the impression that I was missing out on so much when I

I read the most recent of this series recently, and really enjoyed it, so of course I had to pick up the first in the series and get introduced to the characters properly. I just couldn’t shake the impression that I was missing out on so much when I read The language of bees. And, of course, one should always begin at the beginning. It is a very good place to start, or so I’ve heard.

Set against a WWI background this novel introduces us to a retired Sherlock Holmes, he has left London and is busy looking after his bees, when along comes Mary Russell. At 15 years old she is full of herself, sarcastic, and not afraid to give her own opinions, even when they aren’t looked for. And all of a sudden Holmes begins to wonder if she will make a successful apprentice. For, as you may have guess, he has not fully retired from the life of detection.

As Nymeth points out a lot of this book is a commentary on the role of women and gender in society, especially in one where gender roles are becoming less fixed. This is mainly due to the war effort, the men are away at war and the women left behind must adopt in order to keep the country running.

But never fear, it isn’t a polemic, this theme serves the plot, rather than the other way around.

I’ve never been a huge fan of re-imaginings of famous characters. I’ve always thought, well just create a similar character of your own and make all your changes that way. But I’ll make an exception in this case. Holmes is different than I remember from the couple of Conan-Doyle books I’ve read, but much of this is because he is in different situations, and being confronted and challenged with different ideas. Plus in many ways he is the same old character, just from a different persepctive. Although I do think that perhaps Russell is a little hard on Watson and his version of events, but then again, she is very fond of him.

Russell herself is a great character. Never in the slightest bit Mary-Sue-ish, she still has more than enough attributes to be a real partner to Holmes. I can’t wait til I get my hands on the second book.

Another period mystery this time following Mary Russell, a young woman in England around WWI. She meets a retired Sherlock Holmes takes her under his wing and teaches her some of his particular skills. This first book is broken up as a collection o

Another period mystery this time following Mary Russell, a young woman in England around WWI. She meets a retired Sherlock Holmes takes her under his wing and teaches her some of his particular skills. This first book is broken up as a collection of shorter stories and looks to be a promising start to the series.